The New Year is traditionally a time for new beginnings, setting aside the disappointments and failures of the past. For this reason, it is celebrated by people all over the world. For Tamils in India, the New Year begins on the first day of Chithirai month (March-April). It is usually celebrated on the 14th or 15th of April. In many other parts of India, too, the New Year falls in April, though it has different names like Ugadi (Telugu New Year), Gudhi Padwa (Maharashtra, Goa), Vaishakhi (northern India), etc. It is a very auspicious day in the Hindu calendar.
Tamil Nadu follows the Sauramana calendar, which is a solar calendar. In this calendar, the Sun's movement is the base for calculating the time of year. Our ancestors used the day when the Sun was exactly over the equator to fix the start of a new year. The word ‘Vishu’ comes from Vishwadrutta Rekha, which means the equator, the line that divides the earth into 2 halves. This day is the equinox. In the old days, the equinox was around April 14th (today, it is March 21st). This difference is due to the precision of the equinox.
For those who follow the solar calendar, the point when the Sun is midway across both hemispheres is an ideal starting point for the New Year. It marked a point of balance – balance of life, accounts, goals, relations, and one's higher self. People in those days lived in harmony with nature.
After this day, the Sun moves north, that is, to the northern hemisphere.
Tamils call the New Year Tamizh Puthandu. On this day, people clean their homes, perform Pooja at home, and visit temples to invoke divine blessings for the year ahead.
Rituals of Puthandu
The rituals begin on the previous day itself.
People get rid of old and unwanted things to remove clutter and negative effects.
They keep 3 fruits (mango, banana, and jackfruit) and seasonal vegetables on a tray, along with gold/silver jewelry, an arecanut, money, betel leaves, flowers, coins, and a mirror in the Pooja room. This arrangement is usually done by the women of the house.
Mangoes and jackfruits are seasonal fruits. They represent health, while rice represents nourishment. Money signifies wealth and prosperity, and jewelry signifies beauty and adornment. People offer betel leaves to elders in the house as thanksgiving for their blessings. The mirror reflects all the good things in life and multiplies them. Basically, such symbolic offerings are meant as tributes to farmers and also everything that contributes to a happy, healthy, and full life.
The occupants of the house have to see this arrangement first thing in the morning after waking up the next day. It is called ‘Kani’. Seeing the Kani is essential for having a successful and prosperous New Year.
The houses are decorated with beautiful kolams or rangolis. A kuthuvilakku or lamp is placed in the middle of the kolam. This is done to ward off the darkness in life.
A very important food item that is made on this day is the Varusha Pirappu mangai pachadi. Cut/sliced raw mango (sour), pieces of jaggery (sweet), neem leaves (bitter), tamarind (tangy), and red chillies (spicy) are used to make it. Basically, it signifies that life is filled with different flavors.
It is the custom to wear new clothes on this day.
There is an elaborate, sumptuous, and traditional Puthandu lunch which comprises dishes like Medhu (urad dal) vadai, Payasam, Poli (sweet rotis), Mango pachadi, sakkarai pongal, kosambari (moong dal salad), avial (mixed vegetables), Pooshanikkai koottu, cabbage poriyal, vazhakkai curry, Veppampoo rasam, Appalam, mango pickle, spiced buttermilk, paanagam, and curd.
People get together with family and friends and exchange greetings.
It is the custom to visit temples and offer prayers to invoke divine blessings. The head priest in the temple reads the annual Panchangam to everyone.
Elders of the family give youngsters gifts or ‘kaineettom’ (money).
There is a large automobile festival in Thiruvidaimarudur, Kumbakonam. Such events also take place in Kanchipuram, Trichy, etc.
In Madurai, Puthandu is celebrated grandly. There is a large exhibition called ‘Chithirai Porutkatchi’ at the Meenakshi Amman temple.
Significance of Puthandu
Tamils believe that Brahma created the Universe on this day. There is also a belief that Indra came to earth on this day to promote peace and happiness. By celebrating Puthandu, Tamils prepare to begin life on a new and optimistic note, bidding goodbye to the negativities of the past year. It is also a good day to launch new ventures.
Tamil New Year 2024 is on April 14
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